Reduction of Ethanol Intake Because of Cannabinoids

Ethanol, also called alcohol, abuse is quite common world wide in humans and also monkeys. It is the reason for liver disease and relationships falling apart. Mental health issues are common with alcohol abuse. It causes pain in people who abuse it and people who are going through withdrawal. Cannabinoids have been said to be able to treat this pain through their neuroprotective and anti inflammatory abilities. Cannabinoids are situated naturally in the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa). Cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBD).

THC is the psychoactive side of cannabis and gives you the stoned feeling when smoked. CBD is the medicinal constituent of marijuana and this allows you the feeling of being relaxed. The endocannabinoid network bares two cannabinoid receptors, 1 and 2, that allow cannabinoids to bind and work throughout the body.

This paper will look at how cannabinoids can ease someone off their alcoholic tendencies.

Main Points:

Cannabinoids May be Effective Drugs in Treating Alcoholism

Monkeys and Rats Have been Seen to Become Addicted to Ethanol

Cannabinoids May be Effective Drugs in Treating Alcoholism

The current research tested the effectiveness of the cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, SR141716, in decreasing willing alcohol ingestion in specifically bred Sardinian ethanol-picking rats. Alcohol and food were there daily for 4 hours on the queue access times; H2o was there 24 hours per day. The acute dosing of a 2.5 and a 5 mg/kg administration of SR-141716 specifically decreased alcohol ingestion, whereas a 10 mg/kg administration of SR-141716 decreased to a likely degree both alcohol and nutrient absorption.

These conclusions indicate that the cannabinoid 1 receptor is in cahoots in the regulation of the alcohol augmentative impacts in these rats. Overall, the conclusions of the current research and those in current times evaluated by Arnone et al. (1997). Arnone indicates the advocacy of the cannabinoid receptor 1 in the brain network controlling the reinforcing impacts of alcohol in alcohol-addicted rats and mice. More studies will be needed to see whether cannabinoids are the best drugs for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

Monkeys and Rats Have been Seen to Become Addicted to Ethanol

The current readiness of pharmacological instruments, such as specific and strong agonists and antagonists has allowable the research into the ability of the brain cannabinoid receptor. This receptor, usually triggered by the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, has been said to change numerous effects, involving the reinforcing ones, the active constituent of cannabis and other lab grown agonists. Indeed, the specific cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist SR-141716, has been seen to prevent: the self-dosing of the cannabinoid agonist, WIN 55,212-2, in mice.

Thus, the current research was seen to test the impact of SR-141716 on willing alcohol intake in Sardinian ethanol preferring rats. This is good news for people looking to treat their alcohol addiction with cannabinoids.

Registered with the British Psychological Society, breaking the taboo on mental health issues is one of the driving forces in Jonathan's life. His background in biomedicine gives him additional understanding of the factors that work together to influence the human condition.